China ... plans to invest $600 billion in developing its national smart grid over the next decade" http://xrl.us/bij6yi
The EPRI report estimated the cost of upgrading the U.S. grid could range from $338 to $476 billion, up from $165 billion in a 2004 forecast. Benefit estimates have also skyrocketed to a range of $1.2 to $2 trillion, up from $660 billion estimated in 2004.

Smart Grid videos

Loading...

http://xrl.us/bij3ti A new report from Pike Research forecasts that 276 million smart grid communications nodes will be shipped worldwide from 2010 to 2016, with annual shipments increasing dramatically from 15 million in 2009 to 55 million by 2016... this will represent a total industry investment of $20.3 billion during the seven-year forecast period, with annual revenues increasing from $1.8 billion in 2009 to $3.1 billion by 2016..."

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Back in 2004, the number was predicted to be about $165 billion. The new estimate is based on a steady deployment of smart grid technologies between 2010 and 2030. The increase in cost is apparently due to more advanced technologies as well as a "more expansive vision" for the grid.

While the number seems to be outrageous, the EPRI also said that the benefits could reach about $2 trillion. The benefits are measured in lower cost for energy delivery, greater energy capacity that is achieved through greater efficiency and fewer outages, enhanced security, improved quality of life, safety as well as greater consumer productivity.

So, who is going to pay for a clever power system? The EPRI suggests that "society" should bear the costs of the upgrade - "and paid directly, bundled with other goods and services or otherwise included by the utility in its cost of service."